Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
Also called: Card Grinder, Crankshaft Grinder, Cutter Grind Tool Technician (Cutter Grind Tool Tech), Cutter Grinder, Cutting Tool Sharpener, Cylinder Grinder
Median pay
$50,060
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,350 – $77,170
People employed
5,600
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 2.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 4.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 5.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 6.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 7.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners pay by state
Annual median pay by state (35 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners salary in every state →
What tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners do
- 01Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur.
- 02Select and mount grinding wheels on machines, according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasives and grinding procedures.
- 03Set up and operate grinding or polishing machines to grind metal workpieces, such as dies, parts, and tools.
- 04Inspect, feel, and measure workpieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications.
- 05Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machine parts.
- 06Remove finished workpieces from machines and place them in boxes or on racks, setting aside pieces that are defective.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
Knowledge
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing89% · −13%
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand87% · −15%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders86% · −7%
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders82% · −3%
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders82% · 0%
Change into tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand90% · $42,660
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators88% · $50,690
- Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians86% · $39,460
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders85% · $48,540
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing85% · $43,380
Majors that lead here
- Machine Shop Technology/Assistant
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.